Three teens charged in malicious killing of Sally the 'popular llama'

Sally was spotted on the campus of Trinidad State Junior College a few days before her death.

Trinidad State Junior College

Sally, the llama, had been a well known oddity in the Trinidad, Colo. area, but after she escaped from her home last week, she was found dead near Trinidad State Junior College. Three teens were arrested Tuesday and now face felony animal cruelty charges reported cbs Denver.

Cody Kissman, 18, and two minors allegedly shot Sally with a longbow piercing her abdominal region and then slashed her throat. The young men then posted a photo of the dead llama on Facebook stating they "are open for hire."

The community is outraged at the heinous and callous deed and hope the culprits are punished to the fullest extent of the law.

If found guilty of felony animal cruelty, the men face the maximum of 18 months in jail and a $100,000 fine.

Numerous studies continue to show a clear link between animal abuse as teenagers and violence towards humans as adults.

“Sometimes it helps them understand how important it is to vigorouslypursue these cases,” says Scott Heiser, director of Animal Legal Defense Funds’s Criminal Justice Program. “When someone is prosecuted for animal abuse, it sends a signal to other potential abusers in the community. It says violent behavior won’t be tolerated. And it also puts a mark on the abuser’spermanent record so in the future law enforcement officials know this issomebody who has these dangerous tendencies.”

Rest in peace Sally.

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